Is this endometriosis or something else?

[Kweh123]

Hi everyone,

It's my first time posting here as I've just started the process of being diagnosed with endometriosis. FYI I have had IBS for 6 years.

I came off birth control in October and my first period off the pill I had very light bleeding for a few days before my actual period began. I guess it was like faint blood in my discharge (sorry for the TMI). I've had this every period since.

I also started to get twinging pain around my left ovary, which got worse to the point where it felt like a large ball was in that area putting pressure on everything. I've had stabbing pains in that same area on and off every month for a week before until the end of my period since October. Twice I've had that intense pressure feeling while walking to work, which lasts a few hours and is very uncomfortable,

I have a hospital appointment with a gyneacologist who thinks it's endo as I have pain during sex sometimes and I also get a sharp shooting pain in that area around my left ovary when passing a bowel movement.

Last night I woke up to go for a pee and when I went back to bed I had an intense stomach cramp for over half an hour. It felt as if the left side of womb was being squeezed tightly and the pain went to my butt. Today that side of my womb still hurts but not as bad and I was wondering if this is a sign of endo as well as everything else I have described?

Thank you for reading my post.

Emma

[Cooper27]

What were your periods like before you went on the pill?

The pill has been linked to some nutrient deficiencies, which includes zinc and magnesium. Zinc and magnesium deficiencies can lead to excessive period pain. I'd recommend taking magnesium and zinc supplements for a bit, to see if that helps. Go for a decent quality magnesium supplement, as a cheaper product has more of a laxative effect. Magnesium citrate is typically best, but can upset your stomach. If it does, try magnesium malate.

It can't really hurt to try, just while you wait for formal diagnosis.

[Kweh123 in reply to Cooper27]

They seemed to be normal I guess? I never had this premature bleeding issue but my periods are usually quite long (around 10 days). They've never been extremely heavy, which I know is a symptom for endometriosis.

Thank you. I did have a blood test early last year and didn't have these deficiencies but I'll look into the supplements and see if it helps with my symptoms.

Thank you for responding to my post

[Cooper27 in reply to Kweh123]

Did they definitely test for magnesium and zinc? From what I've been told, magnesium tests aren't that good, so they don't tend to run it often. I was told just to supplement anyway, because even if the test shows levels are fine, supplementing doesn't have any downsides. I did it for a few months, and it was like night and day. I can't comment too much on zinc though.

Another one I found helpful (which I know will sound like real woo woo) is eating ginger in the week before my period. It's anti-inflammatory and a small scale study found it's as effective as ibuprofen for period pain. There's no real downside to trying it for yourself, just on the off-chance it makes a difference.

[Kweh123 in reply to Cooper27]

I was having symptoms of a nutrient deficiency at the time so I had a pretty extensive blood panel done and they found my vitamin D was low. I assume they tested for magnesium and zinc as they were trying to find out what was wrong with me. I will still give it a go though as supplementing shouldn't hurt.

Do you eat the ginger by itself or add it to food? That's increasing about what the study found.

[Cooper27 in reply to Kweh123]

It's worth checking. If it was your GP who tested, I think don't think it's likely they checked those two - the cost Vs how reliable the test is, just doesn't make it worthwhile (just from feedback from others).

I think the study used ginger capsules, but I eat it cooked into stuff. Curry, stir fry, carrot and ginger soup, anything to get it down my neck

[Kweh123 in reply to Cooper27]

Thank you for your advice. I'll get some ginger this week to put into my food and see if it helps 😊